BEN WENTWORTH, Senior – Lacrosse
File photos
• All-American
• SMAA all-star, first-team
Ben Wentworth
Wentworth was an imposing, lockdown defender for a Falmouth team which once again advanced to the Class A state final.
Wentworth, who also played football at Falmouth, played junior varsity lacrosse for most of his freshman season, then missed out on his sophomore campaign due to COVID. Wentworth was an SMAA honorable mention selection as a junior, but this season, he took his game to another level, protecting goalie Drew Noyes and stymieing the opposition on a regular basis.
Wenworth caused 37 turnovers, scooped up 71 ground balls and even assisted on three goals.
Falmouth allowed less than six goals per game in the regular season and, on five occasions, surrendered five or fewer.
In the Navigators’ run to the Class A North title, they gave up just seven goals in three games, including a rarity, a shutout victory, in the regional final over Windham.
Falmouth’s title hopes were dashed by repeat champion Cape Elizabeth for the second consecutive season in the state game, but following the season, Wentworth’s impact was recognized at the conference level and beyond, as he earned All-American honors.
Ben Wentworth, Falmouth’s Spring Athlete of the Year, was a senior leader on a defense that at times, was impenetrable. He’ll go down in program lore as one of the best to play his position.
Coach Dave Barton’s comment: “Ben is a uniquely talented player. He’s able to bring an unmatched physicality to the defensive end, but he’s able to pair it with a remarkable finesse, which makes him a true threat anywhere on the field. While his size and strength are exceptional, what takes Ben to a different level is his footwork. Because of this, Ben is able to match up with each team’s biggest offensive threat. When Ben suits up, whether that be in practice or a game, he’s bringing an unmatched intensity and he was arguably the biggest key to our team’s success this year. I couldn’t be more proud of Ben’s development over his time at Falmouth High School. To see him develop into the best defenseman in the state of Maine in just a few short years is a testament to his tireless work ethic and dedication to the program.”
Previous winners:
• 2021 Sam Kidder (baseball)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Riley Reed (lacrosse)
• 2018 Nick Forester (tennis)
• 2017 Cam Guarino (baseball)
• 2016 George Gilbert (lacrosse)
• 2015 Bryce Kuhn (lacrosse)
• 2014 Brendan McCarthy (tennis)
• 2013 Thomas Fortier (baseball)
• 2012 Thomas Fortier (baseball)
• 2011 Matt MacDowell (baseball)
• 2010 Dan Hanley (lacrosse)
• 2009 Tommy Winger (track)
• 2008 Ethan Shaw (track)
• 2007 Ethan Shaw (track)
• 2006 Chris Morrison (tennis)
• 2005 Antonio Floridino (track)
• 2004 Aaron Paradis (baseball)
• 2003 Antonio Floridino (track)
• 2002 Matt Dissell (track)
SLOANE GINEVAN, Junior – Lacrosse
• SMAA all-star, first-team
Sloane Ginevan
While her season was cut short after just eight games, it turns out two-thirds of a Sloane Ginevan season is still pretty darn impressive, equal to or better than a full campaign for most other players.
Ginevan, who emerged as a star in basketball her freshman year, then missed the lacrosse season due to COVID, cemented her status as a top lacrosse player as a sophomore and after leading Falmouth’s girls’ basketball team to the regional semifinals this winter, she made a powerful impact in her limited time this spring for the reigning Class A North champions.
Ginevan would score 32 goals in her eight full games (she suffered a season-ending knee injury early in her ninth contest, versus Marshwood) and added eight assists. Ginevan also collected 23 ground balls, caused 12 turnovers and won 35 draw controls (she was equally dominant taking the draw itself or getting to the ball immediately thereafter).
Highlights included three goals, nine draw controls and 13 ground balls in a season-opening win over Yarmouth, four goals in a loss to eventual repeat Class A champion Kennebunk, four goals and three assists in a victory over Biddeford, four goals and two assists in a win over Cheverus, four more goals in a victory over Gorham, six goals in a win over Scarborough and five goals in a victory over Windham.
While Falmouth’s quest for a fourth straight regional title was dashed at Yarmouth in the Class A North Final, all was not lost, as the Navigators know that Ginevan will be back in uniform next spring before taking her talents to the University of Notre Dame (where she has verbally committed).
Sloane Ginevan, Falmouth’s Spring Athlete of the Year, can’t get back to action soon enough, as she is already counting the days, and rest assured that her teammates and fans can’t wait to see her dominating once again as only she can.
Coach Ashley Pullen’s comment: “Sloane is an asset in all areas of the field for us. On the draw, whether she was taking the draw or on the circle, she was a key part of us having so many possessions. On attack, she was the quarterback of our offense, reading the defense and directing traffic. She is a hungry attacker who can drive, assist and clear space for teammates. That said, Sloane’s biggest asset is her defense, and thus she has been recruited by Notre Dame as a future defender for them. She transfers footwork skills and defensive know-how from her time in the offseason as a basketball player and she usually guards the opposing team’s strongest player. She reads players well and her reaction time and reflexes are so quick that she usually came up with a few knockdowns or interceptions every day, whether in a game or practice. She also is one of the best re-defenders I’ve ever coached. Her pure athleticism combined with her stick skills and lacrosse IQ make her one of the strongest players in the state.”
Previous winners:
• 2021 Eva Clement (lacrosse)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Caitlyn Camelio (lacrosse)
• 2018 Chelsey Smithwick (lacrosse)
• 2017 Devon Sarazin (lacrosse)
• 2016 Julia Brogan (tennis)
• 2015 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)
• 2014 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)
• 2013 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)
• 2012 Jenna Serunian (track)
• 2011 Kelsey Freedman (softball)
• 2010 Analise Kump (tennis)
• 2009 Annie Criscione (tennis)
• 2008 Hallsey Leighton (tennis)
• 2007 Carly Applebaum (track)
• 2006 Kristen Meahl (tennis)
• 2005 Eileen Brandes (softball)
• 2004 Kristen Meahl (tennis)
• 2003 Beth Rubenstein (track)
• 2002 Beth Rubenstein (track)
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
